Death toll rises in Erbil floods and torrential rains extend to Kirkuk and Nineveh

Arab Weather - The death toll from floods caused by heavy rains that fell on Erbil in the Kurdistan region of northern Iraq, on Friday, rose to 11, after the Civil Defense found the bodies of three people who were missing, including a Filipino and a Turkish, who were swept away by the floods that The southeastern suburbs of the city were hit, while authorities warned of the possibility of additional flooding.

The Security Media Cell reported that the floods extended to the governorates of Kirkuk and Nineveh, and that the security forces in Kirkuk governorate are evacuating many besieged families as a result of the torrential rains that fell last night and this morning.

The governor of Erbil, Omid Khoshnaw, had stated earlier that "the floods began at four o'clock in the morning, speaking in an initial toll of the killing of "8 people, including women and children," explaining that the floods were concentrated in popular neighborhoods located in the suburbs of southeast Erbil and caused the same. Significant material damage.

At least 8 people, including a child, were killed in torrential rains and floods that swept separate areas of the Kurdistan Region and the city of Erbil . pic.twitter.com/IF6jVDNYsZ

- Alhurra Channel (@alhurranews) December 17, 2021

He added that "four members of the Civil Defense were injured after their car was washed away by water" while they were trying to rescue citizens.

In a related context, the Security Media Cell had earlier announced the fall of Al-Kwer Bridge due to the torrential rains and its out of service, as the bridge was a temporary crossing established by another party to help the people during the maintenance period of the government bridge.

Warning to citizens

In a statement, the governor also warned residents not to leave their homes. "We ask citizens, if there is no necessary work, not to leave their homes and outside the city of Erbil, as additional rains are expected and there are fears of flooding in the city center and its outskirts," he said.

"There is a state of alert among the security forces, police, health teams, civil defense and municipalities in districts and sub-districts to receive citizens' calls," he added.

Meanwhile, the Arab Weather Center warned of an air depression that will lead to heavy rain in the eastern sections of the northern region (Kurdistan), and there will be thunderstorms and torrential rains due to the high rate of rainfall (especially) in Erbil.

Climate change and extreme weather events

It is noteworthy that Iraq has become suffering from severe climatic phenomena due to the repercussions of climate change, which has become the main cause of drought. Iraq has become the fifth country in the world most affected by climate change, according to the United Nations.

Experts warn that climate change is promoting dangerous weather events, including droughts and more frequent thunderstorms.